ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 143
BY REPRESENTATIVE WESLEY BISHOP
A RESOLUTION
To express condolences upon the passing of Southern University System president emeritus
Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes.
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana is deeply
saddened to learn of the passing on June 1, 2015, of former Southern University System
president Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes at the age of seventy-eight; and
WHEREAS, Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes earned a bachelor's degree in
mathematics in 1957 from Southern University and a master's degree in mathematics from
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and she made history in 1971 by becoming
the first African American to earn a doctor of philosophy degree in mathematics from
Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Spikes became the first female chancellor of a public university in
Louisiana when she was named chancellor of both Southern University Baton Rouge and
Southern University New Orleans in the late 1980s; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Spikes was appointed to the board of Harvard University's Institute
of Educational Management in 1987, and in 1988, she became the first woman in the United
States to head a university system when she was appointed president of Southern University
and A&M College System; and
WHEREAS, the depth of contributions made by Dr. Spikes to Southern University
Baton Rouge led to the naming of The Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes Honors College in
her honor; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Spikes served as president of the University of Maryland-Eastern
Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland, from 1997-2001; current university president, Juliette
B. Bell, credits Dr. Spikes with laying the groundwork for the school's evolution into the
twenty-first century historically black institution it has become; and
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WHEREAS, during Dr. Spikes' tenure as president of the University of Maryland-
Eastern Shore, the Hytche Athletics Center and the Student Services Center were built; and
WHEREAS, President Bill Clinton named Dr. Spikes to his board of advisors on
historically black colleges and universities in 1994; two years later, she was named vice
chair of the Kellogg Commission on the Future of State and Land-Grant Universities; and
WHEREAS, Southern University System acting chancellor Flandus McClinton, Jr.,
said upon learning of the death of Dr. Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes that she "was a
shining star among the leaders of Southern University. She brought national acclaim to the
university as she guided the Baton Rouge campus and the system through some of its most
challenging times. She was beloved and respected by faculty, staff, students, and alumni
during her tenure. She will be missed, but her legacy will live on. Southern University has
truly lost a giant".
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby extend sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to the
family, friends, and former colleagues upon the passing of Dr. Dolores Margaret Richard
Spikes; does hereby express deepest sympathies at the eternal departure of this trailblazer
in higher education; and does hereby offer prayers and hopes for comfort to those who
mourn her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Dr. Dolores Margaret Richard Spikes.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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